The Season Is Over For Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart sprained his left shoulder late in the first half of the Arizona Cardinals’ game against San Francisco on Sunday, ending the quarterback’s strong rookie season one game early.

Leinart was hurt when Roderick Green sacked him on third down during a drive that ended in Neil Rackers’ 39-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the second quarter. Leinart went to the locker room after the hit, and returned to the sideline in street clothes as Kurt Warner finished off the Cardinals’ 26-20 victory.

Though the injury apparently isn’t serious, Arizona coach Dennis Green said Leinart will be shelved for the season finale at San Diego next Sunday. Leinart won’t need surgery, but is scheduled for an MRI exam Wednesday.